System and method for teeth cleaning

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are described wherein a system for brushing the teeth of a person comprises a master input device; a flexible teeth tray configured to at least partially encapsulate one or more of the teeth in a flexible substrate material, the flexible teeth tray comprising one or more vibratory transducers removably coupled to one or more brushing panels; and a controller operatively coupled to the master input device and the one or more vibratory transducers; wherein subject to an input from the master input device, the controller is configured to cause reciprocating brushing motion of the one or more brushing panels against a surface of the one or more encapsulated teeth, to clean the one or more teeth.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/332,312, filed on Dec. 20, 2011, which claims the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. Nos.61/424,873, filed Dec. 20, 2010 and 61/522,832, filed Aug. 12, 2011. Theforegoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference into thepresent application in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dental systems and processes,and specifically to teeth cleaning consumer products.

BACKGROUND

The process of cleaning one's teeth with a conventional toothbrush canbe time consuming and inadequate, depending upon the quality of thebrushing device and the operator thereof. Several technologies have beendeveloped to assist with the process of tooth brushing or toothcleaning, including water jet type devices, electromechanical toothbrushing systems of various sorts, and professional teeth cleaningtools, such as those which involve high frequency vibration of a picktype end effector to assist a dentist or hygienist with a process knownconventionally in America as a “teeth cleaning”. Notwithstanding thecurrently-available technologies, most consumers brush their teethmanually for one or more times per day for several minutes with aconventional toothbrush. There is a need for more efficient andeffective tooth brushing or tooth cleaning technologies that areaccessible to consumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a conventional bite-guard type of flexible tray.

FIG. 1B depicts the human teeth that generally need cleaning on a dailybasis.

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a system for automating aspects ofthe tooth brushing process.

FIG. 2B illustrates a close-up cross sectional view of one embodiment ofa system for automating aspects of the tooth brushing process.

FIGS. 2C and 2D depict close-up side views of one embodiment of a systemfor automating aspects of the tooth brushing process.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process for cleaning teeth in accordance with oneembodiment of a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate various programming configurations forembodiments of the subject system for automating aspects of the toothbrushing process.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate various programming configurations forembodiments of the subject system for automating aspects of the toothbrushing process.

FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of a system for automating aspects ofthe tooth brushing process.

FIG. 6B illustrates a close-up cross sectional view of one embodiment ofa system for automating aspects of the tooth brushing process.

FIG. 7A illustrates one embodiment of a system for automating aspects ofthe tooth brushing process, wherein a PDA or smartphone device isutilized as a master input device.

FIG. 7B illustrates one embodiment of a system for automating aspects ofthe tooth brushing process, wherein the master input device comprises asimple button.

FIG. 7C illustrates one embodiment of a system for automating aspects ofthe tooth brushing process, wherein the master input device comprises asimple button.

FIG. 8A illustrates one embodiment of a system for automating aspects ofthe tooth brushing process, wherein a brushing array is coupled to ahandle.

FIG. 8B illustrates one embodiment of a system for automating aspects ofthe tooth brushing process, wherein a brushing array is configured to becoupled to a finger or tongue.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate various aspects of a teeth brushing assembly inaccordance with the present invention. FIGS. 9B and 9C are partialsectional views of the structure depicted in FIG. 9A.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate two views of a teeth brushing assembly withcoupled motor pack.

FIG. 10C illustrates a partially exploded view of a teeth brushingassembly with coupled motor pack.

FIG. 11 illustrates a head coordinate system associated with a user'storso. Alternatively a global or ground coordinate system is depicted.

FIG. 12 illustrates a process for cleaning teeth in accordance with oneembodiment of a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

FIG. 13 illustrates a process for cleaning teeth in accordance with oneembodiment of a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

FIG. 14 illustrates a process for cleaning teeth in accordance with oneembodiment of a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

FIG. 15 illustrates a process for cleaning teeth in accordance with oneembodiment of a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

FIG. 16 illustrates a process for cleaning teeth in accordance with oneembodiment of a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

FIG. 17 illustrates a process for cleaning teeth in accordance with oneembodiment of a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

FIG. 18A illustrates one embodiment of a system for automating aspectsof the tooth brushing process.

FIG. 18B illustrates a close-up cross sectional view of one embodimentof a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushing process.

FIG. 18C depicts a close-up side view of a shockwave electrodeconfiguration a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

FIG. 19 illustrates a process for cleaning teeth in accordance with oneembodiment of a system for automating aspects of the tooth brushingprocess.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is directed to a system for brushing the teeth of aperson, comprising: a flexible teeth tray configured to at leastpartially encapsulate one or more of the teeth in a flexible substratematerial, the flexible teeth tray comprising one or more vibratorytransducers removably coupled to one or more brushing panels; and acontroller operatively coupled to the one or more vibratory transducers;wherein subject to an input from an operator, the controller isconfigured to cause reciprocating brushing motion of the one or morebrushing panels against a surface of the one or more encapsulated teeth,to clean the one or more teeth. The master input device may comprise ahandheld remote control interface. The handheld remote control interfacemay be operatively coupled to the controller with a wireless interface.The handheld remote control interface may be operatively coupled to thecontroller with a wired interface. The one or more vibratory transducersmay be operatively coupled to the controller with a wired interface. Atleast a portion of the wired interface may be encapsulated in theflexible substrate material. The one or more vibratory transducers maycomprise piezoelectric transducers. The piezoelectric transducers may beconfigured to oscillate at ultrasonic frequencies. The one or morebrushing panels may comprise a substrate panel coupled to a brushingmedia. The substrate panels may be removably coupled to the one or morevibratory transducers. An interference fit clip fitting may be utilizedto removably couple the substrate panels to the vibratory transducers.The substrate panels may be fixedly coupled to the one or more vibratorytransducers. The brushing media may comprise one or more flexiblebristles. The one or more flexible bristles may comprise a naturalfiber. The one or more flexible bristles may comprise a manufacturedfiber. The manufactured fiber may comprise a polymer selected from thegroup consisting of: nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, and co-polymers thereof. The flexible substrate materialmay comprise a polymer. The polymer may comprise MC10®. At least of theone or more panels may be interfaced with an inside surface of a tooth.At least one of the one or more panels may be interfaced with an outsidesurface of a tooth. At least one of the one or more panels may beinterfaced with a biting surface of a tooth.

Another embodiment is directed to a system for brushing the teeth of aperson, comprising: a flexible teeth tray configured to at leastpartially encapsulate one or more of the teeth in a flexible substratematerial, the flexible teeth tray comprising one or more shockwaveelectrode pairs configured to controllably transmit shockwaves to theone or more teeth to disrupt material which may be coupled to the one ormore teeth; and a controller operatively coupled to the one or moreshockwave electrode pairs; wherein subject to an input from an operator,the controller is configured to cause one or more shockwaves to bedirected against one or more surfaces of the one or more encapsulatedteeth, to clean the one or more teeth. The flexible teeth tray may beconfigured to clean each of the teeth of the upper or lower jaw, thetray comprising one or more shockwave electrode pairs positionedadjacent each of the teeth of the upper or lower jaw. The one or moreshockwave electrode pairs may be at least partially encapsulated in atransmissive material configured to isolate the one or more teeth fromthe one or more shockwave electrode pairs, while also transmittingshockwaves generated at the one or more shockwave electrode pairs to theone or more teeth. The transmissive material may comprise a fluid. Thetransmissive material may comprise a viscous gel material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1A, flexible dental trays (2) are utilized for variousapplications on modern dentistry, including bite-guard applications,grinding prevention applications, and impact sport injury preventionapplications. They may be custom molded to fit a particular patient'steeth, or may be configured in one or more off-the-shelf sizes to fit anaverage human dental configuration, as shown in FIG. 1B. Referring toFIG. 2A, a teeth brushing assembly (6) comprising a flexible dental traywith embedded brushing features is depicted. Referring to the crosssectional view of FIG. 2B, a flexible substrate material (44) is formedinto a cross sectional shape configured to accommodate interdigitationof an upper tooth (30) as well as a lower tooth (28). The fit of theteeth into these geometric accommodations, or “slots”, may be a slightinterference fit, or may be a slightly loose fit. Too tight aninterference fit is not preferred because it may prevent relative motionof the brushing panels or pads (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) relative to theteeth, as described below. As shown in FIG. 2B, a power supply (26) isoperatively coupled, via a wire lead (24) in the depicted embodiment, toa controller (92), which is operatively coupled to the depictedplurality of brushing pads (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) that are movablycoupled to the flexible substrate material (44) of the tray assembly(6), in this embodiment by one or more wire leads (8), the distalportions of which (100) may be at least partially encapsulated withinthe flexible substrate material (44). As described in further detailbelow, when the power supply (26) is activated and the controller (92)is configured to operate the brushing pads (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42), thebrushing pads (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) cyclicly motion relative to thesubstrate material (44) and the teeth (i.e., generally in a motion atleast somewhat co-planar with the plane of the associated toothsurface), to brush films, deposits, plaque, and other materials from theteeth—in a high-frequency tooth brushing configuration. Referring againto FIG. 2B, with the depicted embodiment, the tooth that becomes engagedin the upper slot (30) will have a front brushing pad (32) to engage thefront surface of the upper tooth, a rear brushing pad (34) to engage therear surface of the upper tooth, a top (or “biting surface”) brushingpad (36) to engage the top surface of the upper tooth, a front brushingpad (38) to engage the front surface of the lower tooth engaged into thelower slot (28), a rear brushing pad (40) to engage the rear surface ofthe lower tooth, and a top (or “biting surface”) brushing pad (42) toengage the top surface of the lower tooth. In other embodiments, one ormore brushing pads may be configured to address the surfaces of one ormore adjacent teeth.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, a hand held master input device (10), such asa remote controller console with a plurality of buttons, may be utilizedto control the system. The depicted master input device (10) comprises astop button (22), a frequency of vibration control slider (118), andmode control buttons (12, 14), in this embodiment configured to allowthe operator to select various different upper teeth engagement patterns(for example, only the left upper, only the middle upper, only the rightupper, or various combinations thereof—including all of the uppers atonce; similarly the lower teeth may be controllably engaged). Onecontrol button (16) conveniently allows for full engagement of allbrushing pads simultaneously. A controller interface (18) may comprise awired port or an antenna, depending upon whether the master input deviceis operatively coupled (96) to the controller with a wired or a wirelessconfiguration. Similarly, the controller interface (20) may comprise awired port or an antenna, depending upon whether the master input deviceis operatively coupled (96) to the controller with a wired or a wirelessconfiguration. The controller (92) also features a programming interface(98) to allow various teeth cleaning programs to be loaded or modifiedinto memory that comprises the controller (92).

Referring to FIGS. 2C and 2D, further details of an embodiment such asthat depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrated. FIG. 2C shows a seriesof teeth (4) captured in a tray (or temporarily partially encapsulatedin or coupled to the tray) being engaged by a series of brushing pads(34), each of which may be removably coupled to a vibratory transducer(46) which is embedded into the flexible substrate material (44). Inanother embodiment, the brushing pads (34) may be fixedly coupled to thetransducer (46) and configured to be disposed of at the same time as thetransducer (46) and substrate (44) constructs. In other words, in afirst embodiment, the pads (34) are intended to be more disposable thanthe other structures; in a second embodiment, the structures that aredesigned to enter the patient's mouth are intended to be disposed oftogether. The illustrated embodiment shows one brushing pad per tooth,but as noted above, other embodiments may feature brushing padsconfigured to address more than one adjacent tooth. Referring to FIG.2D, a close up side view shows a single vibratory transducer (46)coupled to the flexible substrate material (44), and also coupled to abrushing pad (34) which comprises a brushing surface or brushinginterface (48). Preferably the brushing interface comprises a texturedsurface configured to remove plaque, films, and other materials from thesurface of a tooth. In one embodiment, the brushing interface (48)comprises a brushing media such as series of bristles comprising naturalfibrous materials, or polymeric fibrous materials, such as nylon,polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and/orco-polymers thereof, which are commonly used in human consumer products.When the transducer is operated, via a current transmitted through thecontrol lead (50), the transducer is configured to vibrate relative tothe substrate tray around it (it remains coupled to the tray, butproduces localized micromotion vibrations), and since the transducer isdirectly coupled to the brushing pads, relative motion is producedbetween the brushing pads (34) and the substrate tray (44). The brushingpads may be disposable or replaceable, and may be removably coupled tothe transducers with a clip-on “temporarily fixedly coupled” type ofinterface involving a small interference fit clip or the like. The pads(34) may be planar, convex, concave, saddle-shaped, or have customsurface shapes configured to specifically address certain teeth ordental geometries. The transducers may be piezoelectric transducers, andmay be configured to operate at frequencies in the ultrasonic range, orin other ranges. The flexible substrate material may comprise a polymer,and maybe a conformal polymer configuration, such as that availableunder the tradename “MC10”, which is particularly well suited forembedding wire leads, as shown in FIG. 2B.

Referring to FIG. 3, in one process embodiment, a mold of a patient'steeth may be created (52), followed by analysis of the mold to optimizea brushing interface design (i.e., optimize the surface shapes of thepanels or pads, the shape of the tray, the bristle materials, etc) (54).A tray may be created comprising a substrate material having integratedtransducers and related wiring (56). In another embodiment, anoff-the-shelf tray size or model may be selected. Brush pads may beremovably attached to the transducer interfaces (58), the controllerprogrammed and configured (60), toothpaste or other brushing solutionapplied to the pads (62), and the assembly engaged (i.e., by placing itinto the mouth and biting down) (64) so that a program or other controlparadigm may be executed and the teeth cleaned (66). Subsequently thetray assembly may be removed from the mouth (68) and cleaned (70), forexample, by placing the assembly in a bath or stream of clean water andbriefly operating the transducers to shake loose any deposits.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C, various programming configurationsare illustrated. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, a sequential program (72)is configured to work through the brushing of the teeth in six portions(upper left, right, and center; lower left, right, and center). In thedepicted embodiment, a cycle change buzz to one or more transducerssignals the patient or operator that the cycle is changing to the nextstage. Spending approximately 10 seconds at each of the six locations,the program (72) takes approximately one minute to execute. Referring toFIG. 4B, another programming configuration (74) is shown wherein onlytwo stages are used to complete the job: all upper teeth simultaneously,followed by all lower teeth simultaneously, for a cycle of approximately20 seconds. Referring to FIG. 4C, another programming configuration usesa single actuation stage of all transducers at once to complete thebrushing cycle in about 10 seconds. As illustrated in the embodiments ofFIGS. 5A-5C, frequency modulation may be utilized in the cleaningprocess. For example, in the programming embodiment (78) of FIG. 5A, twofrequencies may be used sequentially (for example, a low frequency toremove larger bulk plaque, followed by a higher frequency for apolishing effect). The programming embodiment (80) of FIG. 5B showsexecution of a first frequency, then a second frequency, then a returnto the first frequency (perhaps, low frequency bulk plaque removal, thenhigh frequency polishing, then a return to execute any extra bulk plaqueremoval). The programming embodiment (82) of FIG. 5C shows execution ofthree sequential frequencies.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an embodiment similar to that of FIGS.2A-2D is depicted, with the exception that irrigation and vacuumfunctionalities are integrated. The master input device (94) is similarto that of FIG. 2A, but has controls for irrigation (84) and vacuum (86)that are configured to cause an irrigation system (102) to infuse fluidthrough the coupling lead (101) and into the tray assembly (6) to escapethrough various pores or lumens formed in the tray assembly (6) andgenerally configured to infuse fluid into region of the interfacebetween brushing pads and teeth surfaces. A vacuum system (104) may besimilarly utilized to evacuate fluid from such sites in the mouth/trayengagement. Referring to FIG. 6B, an infusion fluid reservoir (106) maycontain water, fluoride, or other solutions, and may be fluidly coupled(112) to or comprised within the irrigation system (102). The vacuumsystem may comprise or be fluidly coupled to (116) a fluid reservoir(108) to capture waste fluids evacuated from the brushing area in situ.The controller is operatively coupled (110, 114) via wire leads to theirrigation system (102) and vacuum system (104) to controllably engageand disengage these systems.

Referring to FIG. 7A, an embodiment is depicted having similar elementsas the system depicted, for example, in FIG. 6A, but wherein the masterinput device (120) comprises a portable electronic device such as asmartphone, PDA, or the like (i.e., such as the product sold by AppleComputer Corp under the tradename iPhone®), that is configured tooperate software to produce a graphical user interface comprisingdigitally presented control buttons (126) for the subject teeth cleaningsystem. Referring to FIG. 7B, in another embodiment, a master inputdevice (122) may comprise a simple on/off switch or button (124), andreferring further to FIG. 7C, this button need not reside on its ownmini-console (i.e., as in the embodiment of FIG. 7B)—but rather mayreside, for example, coupled to or co-housed with with controller (92).

Referring to FIG. 8A, in another embodiment similar to that of FIG. 7C,a relatively compact brushing array (130), comprising a substrate, andone or more transducers and brushing pads, as in the embodimentdescribed above, may be coupled to a handle (128) and configured suchthat an operator may grasp the proximal end (132) of the handle (128)and navigate the brushing array (130) around the mouth to brush theteeth, in a manner akin to a tooth brush, but with the advantages of thehigh frequency cleaning capabilities provided by the subjectconfiguration. The brushing array (130) may be flexible, and may begeometrically sized in a range of sizes: from a relatively small arrayapproximating the size of a dental probe or pick, to a relatively largersize approximately the size of an adult toothbrush bristle array, orlonger, to accommodate approximately ⅓ or ½ of the teeth of anoperator's upper or lower jaw. The brushing array may be biased toremain relatively straight, or to form a curved shape, such as a concaveor convex shape relative to the teeth to which it shall be interfaced.Referring to FIG. 8B, an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 8A isdepicted, with the exception that the brushing array (130) in thisembodiment is arcuate or curved in a manner to allow engagement (134) ofa finger or portion of the human tongue. For example, in one embodiment,a finger may be advanced into a position (134) wherein the array (130)substantially surrounds it, and this combination may be utilized tonavigate the mouth of the operator for teeth brushing/cleaning. Inanother embodiment, the arcuate array may be temporarily coupled to thetongue of the operator, and the tongue may be utilized to navigate, andthereby brush/clean, the nearby teeth.

Referring to FIG. 9A, a top view of a thin-walled teeth brushingassembly (6) is depicted with dimensions in inches typical for an adultsize. Cross sectional views are shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C. As shown inFIGS. 10A-10C, such an assembly (6) may be removably or fixedly coupledto an all-in-one type of configuration that may be held in one or twohands by the user without additional associated power cords. Forexample, referring to FIG. 10A, the teeth brushing assembly (6) isremovably or fixedly coupled to a gearbox and battery assembly (144) viaa handle member (140), which is removably or fixedly coupled to a motorpack (142). FIG. 10B illustrates a view 90 degrees orthogonal to theview of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C illustrates a partially exploded view of asimilar configuration, with the exception that the motor pack (142) istransversely mounted relative to the gearbox/battery assembly (144).With an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 10A, 10B, or 10C, a usermay insert the thin-walled teeth brushing assembly (6) into his or hermouth, controllably engage the motor pack (142), and receive a resultantvibratory/oscillatory motion cleaning of all of his or her teethsimultaneously, as the battery from the battery/gearbox component (144)is configured to activate the motor pack (142), which is configured tooperate the gearbox to produce oscillatory/vibratory motion of thehandle (140) and associated teeth brushing assembly (6).

Referring to FIG. 11, two coordinate systems (148, 150) are illustratedrelative to the user's head (154). A global coordinate system (150) isdefined as the coordinate system of the ground or floor (152) around theuser. A torso coordinate system (148) is defined as the coordinatesystem associated with the user's torso as he stands in a room relativeto the ground. One of the challenges associated with efficient smallamplitude vibratory teeth brushing as described herein is maintainingadequate irrigation medium, or fluid, between the brushing surfaces ofthe teeth brushing assembly (6) and the subject teeth. One of the moststraightforward ways of facilitating localized pooling of irrigationfluid to targeted portions of the subject teeth is with the help ofgravity. For example, the teeth of the mouth may be divided intogroupings such as: upper versus lower; lower left molars, lowerincisors, lower right molars, upper right molars, upper incisors, upperright molars (canines being on the borders of the latter grouping), etc.To focus irrigation pooling near the incisors, the user may pitch hishead forward relative to the torso coordinate system (148), anddepending upon the level of such pitch rotation, focus the irrigationpooling adjacent the lower incisors, both upper and lower incisors, orthe upper incisors. Similarly, to focus irrigation pooling near themolars, the user may yaw rotate his neck while also pitching it relativeto the torso coordinate system (148) in various configurations to directirrigation pooling to various locations of the molars, pre-molars,canines, etc. Referring to FIGS. 12-17, several embodiments foroperating variations of the subject invention are illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 12, after a user couples a teeth brushing assembly tohis teeth by inserting a tray into his mouth, the tray comprising orbeing operatively coupled to one or more electromechanical agitatingdevices (156), the irrigation system may be engaged (158) to cause fluidto flow into the teeth brushing assembly, preferably at a rate that maybe controlled by the user with a master input device, controllerknob/interface, or the like. In one embodiment, to reduce the amount offluid flow required, the user's lips may be pursed around the systemcontrol lines (or handle in an all-in-one embodiment similar to thatdepicted in FIGS. 10A-10C); in another embodiment, the user may allowfluid to freely flow out of his mouth, or through a drain or vacuumline. The user may then (or simultaneously with engagement of theirrigation system in another embodiment) engage the one or moreagitating actuation devices to cause oscillatory teeth cleaning action(160). The user may assist with gravitational fluid pooling by tiltingand/or rotating his head to various positions (162), such as: 1)incisors gravitationally lowest for incisor cleaning; 2) left molarsgravitationally lowest for left molar cleaning; 3) right molarsgravitationally lowest for right molar cleaning; premolars and caninesin the overlap between these divisions of the mouth. With the cleaningcomplete, irrigation and agitation may be controllably discontinued(164), such as by the push of a user interface button or expiration of adiscrete timer time window, and the teeth brushing assembly removed fromthe mouth (166).

Referring to FIG. 13, a technique and configuration similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 12 is depicted, with the exception that the user maycontrollably engage the agitating actuation devices by selectedquadrants or other groupings while also assisting with gravitationalfluid pooling by tilting and/or rotating his head to various positions(168). In other words, rather than agitating the entire mouth worth ofteeth simultaneously, the user may agitate only a focused subportion ofthe teeth, such as the portion that is receiving the irrigation poolingsubject to his head/jaw orientation.

Referring to FIG. 14, a user may operate a teeth brushing assemblyconfigured to be focused upon a targeted portion of the overall set ofteeth, akin to a toothbrush (170). The irrigation system may becontrollably engaged (172), along with the agitating actuation (174),which may be interrupted during moves of the brushing assembly—oralternatively left on during such moves. The user may assist withirrigation focusing/pooling (176), and the user may move (i.e., with hishands akin to the manner in which a toothbrush is moved) the brushingassembly to other positions in the mouth (178).

Referring to FIG. 15, an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 13 isillustrated, with the exception that the agitation is directed throughthe tray to various sub-portions of the teeth of the mouth in accordancewith a predetermined program or selection schema (for example: bottomfirst—left, front, right; top last—left, front, right; seeaforementioned programming configurations) (180).

Referring to FIG. 16, after the teeth cleaning assembly tray has beeninserted in the user's mouth (156), a discrete zone irrigationconfiguration may be utilized (182) to direct irrigation to selectedsub-portions of the teeth, which may be changed over time. In otherwords, the mouth may be broken up into a plurality of targeted zones,each of which receives zone irrigation (182) and zone agitation (184)during a selected portion of the overall brushing time, in accordancewith user selections regarding targeted zones.

Referring to FIG. 17, an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 16 isillustrated, with the exception that with the embodiment of FIG. 17,zone alternating/selection (i.e., the order and timing in which eachzone becomes the operative zone for irrigation and agitation) iscontrolled using a predetermined programming or selection schema (186)which may, for example, be at the recommendation of the user's dentistof dental hygienist.

Referring to FIGS. 18A-19, another embodiment is illustrated, wherein adifferent agitating element may be utilized to break loose plaque andother deposits from teeth in an effort to clean such teeth: a shockwaveelectrode pair or shockwave transducer. Referring to FIG. 18A, a systemsimilar to that depicted in FIG. 2A is shown with a teeth brushingassembly comprising a flexible tray element (44) which is shown indetailed cross section in FIG. 18B. Referring to FIG. 18B, in place ofthe agitating pads (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) of the embodiments of FIG.2B or 6B, the embodiment of FIG. 18B has shockwave transducer elementsor shockwave electrode pairs (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212) which areconfigured to create shockwaves that are transmitted toward theassociated teeth to break loose plaque and other deposits from teeth inan effort to clean such teeth. In one embodiment, each of the shockwavetransducer elements (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212) is coupled to theflexible substrate material (44) in a position wherein direct or nearlydirect transfer of shockwave energy to associated teeth may beaccomplished. As discussed above in reference to FIG. 2B, the tray isconfigured such that the teeth are placed into, and at least partiallysurrounded by, the tray in locations labeled with elements 30 and 28,which may also be denominated as “slots” for the teeth. With a shockwaveagitation embodiment, the slots may be lined or at least partiallyfilled with a transmissive medium or material, such as a fluid (i.e.,water) or viscous gel (i.e., a tooth-cleaning paste with relativelylow-viscosity as compared with conventional toothpastes), that isconfigured to optimally transmit shockwaves from the transducers (202,204, 206, 208, 210, 212) to the associated teeth. Further, in oneembodiment, the materials surrounding the shockwave transducers (202,204, 206, 208, 210, 212) in directions that are not adjacent thetargeted teeth may be configured to absorb or reflect shockwaves—toassist in focusing the shockwave energy upon the desired targeted teethand not other structures in the mouth or in the device itself. In thedepicted embodiment, one shockwave transducer is provided for each ofthe three exposed sides of an associated tooth. In another embodiment,one shockwave transducer may be configured to provide adequatedisruption of plaque or other debris, such as the slot base pair ortransducers (204, 210) shown in the embodiment of FIG. 18B. In otherembodiments, more than three shockwave transducers may be provided foreach of the associated teeth. Each of the shockwave transducers orshockwave electrode pairs (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212) may comprise apair of exposed electrode portions that are biased to produce a briefshort circuit when electrified, causing a shockwave local to the exposedelectrode portions. Shockwave technology has been utilized in othermedical applications, such as lithotripsy applications described in U.S.Published patent application Ser. No. 12/436,547 to Mantell et al, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Referring to FIG.18C, to illustrate one configuration for producing a series of shockwavetransducers or electrode pairs, a close up side view of a pair ofcontinuous lead wires (8) that are mostly insulated from each other byinsulative layering (214) is depicted in a linear (i.e., not arcuate orcurved, as would be the case when such a configuration is embedded intoa flexible teeth tray substrate such as that depicted in FIG. 18A aselement 6). At a desired distance longitudinally, discontinuities (214)have been created in the insulative layer, which result in a series ofshockwave electrode pairings (i.e., each electrode formed by a gap inthe insulative layering that places the polar opposite leads inelectrical access to each other, to create a short circuit when the leadpair is electrified—somewhat like a series of small spark plugs) thatmay be utilized to generate a series of associated shock waves, asfacilitated by the intercoupled controller (92) and power supply (26).In one embodiment, the discontinuities may be created in the insulativelayering at a pitch configured to place one electrode (i.e., onediscontinuity) at the longitudinal position of each tooth of thepatient/person. In another embodiment, discontinuities may be placed ata higher pitch, such as every few millimeters, or at a greater pitch. Inanother embodiment, flex circuit or flexible circuit substratetechnology may be utilized to manufacture the electrode strings.

Referring to FIG. 19, a process for cleaning teeth with a system such asthat described in reference to FIGS. 18A-18C is depicted; such a processis similar to that shown in FIG. 12, with the exception that theelectromechanical agitating pads have been replaced with shockwaveagitating elements (218, 220). Similarly, each of the embodimentsdescribed in reference to FIGS. 13-17 may be adapted for shockwaveagitation with shockwave transducer elements in place of theelectromechanical agitating pads. Other hybrid embodiments mayincorporate both electromechanical agitation and shockwave agitation.

While embodiments described above, such as those of FIGS. 2A-2D, 6A-7C,feature flexible substrate (44) materials for the main tray assembly(6), other embodiments may comprise substantially rigid or nonflexiblesubstrate materials to retain predetermined tray geometry with a highlevel of precision, and may have coatings or outer layers that are atleast somewhat flexible or pliable to accommodate atraumatic tissueinteraction.

Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein.Reference is made to these examples in a non-limiting sense. They areprovided to illustrate more broadly applicable aspects of the invention.Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalentsmay be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope ofthe invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation, material, composition of matter, process, processact(s) or step(s) to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the presentinvention. Further, as will be appreciated by those with skill in theart that each of the individual variations described and illustratedherein has discrete components and features which may be readilyseparated from or combined with the features of any of the other severalembodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentinventions. All such modifications are intended to be within the scopeof claims associated with this disclosure.

Any of the devices described for carrying out the subject interventionsmay be provided in packaged combination for use in executing suchinterventions. These supply “kits” further may include instructions foruse and be packaged in sterile trays or containers as commonly employedfor such purposes.

The invention includes methods that may be performed using the subjectdevices. The methods may comprise the act of providing such a suitabledevice. Such provision may be performed by the end user. In other words,the “providing” act merely requires the end user obtain, access,approach, position, set-up, activate, power-up or otherwise act toprovide the requisite device in the subject method. Methods recitedherein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which islogically possible, as well as in the recited order of events.

Exemplary aspects of the invention, together with details regardingmaterial selection and manufacture have been set forth above. As forother details of the present invention, these may be appreciated inconnection with the above-referenced patents and publications as well asgenerally known or appreciated by those with skill in the art. Forexample, one with skill in the art will appreciate that one or morelubricious coatings (e.g., hydrophilic polymers such aspolyvinylpyrrolidone-based compositions, fluoropolymers such astetrafluoroethylene, hydrophilic gel or silicones) may be used inconnection with various portions of the devices, such as relativelylarge interfacial surfaces of movably coupled parts, if desired, forexample, to facilitate low friction manipulation or advancement of suchobjects relative to other portions of the instrumentation or nearbytissue structures. The same may hold true with respect to method-basedaspects of the invention in terms of additional acts as commonly orlogically employed.

In addition, though the invention has been described in reference toseveral examples optionally incorporating various features, theinvention is not to be limited to that which is described or indicatedas contemplated with respect to each variation of the invention. Variouschanges may be made to the invention described and equivalents (whetherrecited herein or not included for the sake of some brevity) may besubstituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. In addition, where a range of values is provided, it isunderstood that every intervening value, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range, is encompassed within the invention.

Also, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventivevariations described may be set forth and claimed independently, or incombination with any one or more of the features described herein.Reference to a singular item, includes the possibility that there areplural of the same items present. More specifically, as used herein andin claims associated hereto, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “said,” and“the” include plural referents unless the specifically stated otherwise.In other words, use of the articles allow for “at least one” of thesubject item in the description above as well as claims associated withthis disclosure. It is further noted that such claims may be drafted toexclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended toserve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as“solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claimelements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

Without the use of such exclusive terminology, the term “comprising” inclaims associated with this disclosure shall allow for the inclusion ofany additional element—irrespective of whether a given number ofelements are enumerated in such claims, or the addition of a featurecould be regarded as transforming the nature of an element set forth insuch claims. Except as specifically defined herein, all technical andscientific terms used herein are to be given as broad a commonlyunderstood meaning as possible while maintaining claim validity.

The breadth of the present invention is not to be limited to theexamples provided and/or the subject specification, but rather only bythe scope of claim language associated with this disclosure.

1. A system for brushing the teeth of a person, comprising: a. aflexible teeth tray configured to at least partially encapsulate one ormore of the teeth in a flexible substrate material, the flexible teethtray comprising one or more vibratory transducers removably coupled toone or more brushing panels; and b. a controller operatively coupled tothe one or more vibratory transducers; wherein subject to an input froman operator, the controller is configured to cause reciprocatingbrushing motion of the one or more brushing panels against a surface ofthe one or more encapsulated teeth, to clean the one or more teeth.
 2. Asystem for brushing the teeth of a person, comprising: a. a flexibleteeth tray configured to at least partially encapsulate one or more ofthe teeth in a flexible substrate material, the flexible teeth traycomprising one or more shockwave electrode pairs configured tocontrollably transmit shockwaves to the one or more teeth to disruptmaterial which may be coupled to the one or more teeth; and b. acontroller operatively coupled to the one or more shockwave electrodepairs; wherein subject to an input from an operator, the controller isconfigured to cause one or more shockwaves to be directed against one ormore surfaces of the one or more encapsulated teeth, to clean the one ormore teeth.